Belief in the afterlife reveals some inconsistencies on the part of some people. For example, recent statistics have shown that there are fewer people who believe in Hell than believe in Heaven. This is interesting, seeing as how the Bible teaches both. Another inconsistency is that some acknowledge the eternal nature of Heaven, but deny that Hell is eternal. Some hold to the doctrine of annihilation, believing the wicked will be consumed and destroyed in the fires of Hell, while the saved will continue to exist in Heaven forever. What does the Bible say about the duration of punishment in Hell?
The Bible teaches that sin and evil are deserving of punishment (Is. 3:11; Matt. 13:41-42; Rom. 2:5-11). How can ceasing to exist be considered a form of punishment? If you think about it, annihilation is actually a deliverance from punishment. Given a choice, which would you prefer, to burn in Hell forever or to burn up in a matter of seconds and cease to exist (cease to feel pain)?
Someone may ask, "Is it really fair for one to be punished eternally when they were evil for only a relatively brief span of time?" There are two sides to that coin. Is it really fair for God to grant eternal bliss to one who served Him for only a brief span of time on this earth? I have yet to hear anyone charge God with being unfair about an eternal Heaven. If we are going to talk about what is fair, there would be no talk of Heaven whatsoever.
The Bible gives a clear answer to the question of the duration of Hell.
- "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels' ...And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matt. 25:41, 46).
- "But he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation" (Mark 3:29).
- "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Thess. 1:9).
- "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev. 20:10).
These verses speak of eternal and everlasting punishment, condemnation, destruction and torment.
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus gives the account of the Rich Man and Lazarus, showing us what awaits us on the other side of death. The Rich Man awoke from death in torments and saw Lazarus afar off resting in Abraham's bosom. "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'" (vs. 24-26). The Rich Man regretfully learned there would be no relief from his torment, and there would be no way for him to escape. He was in torment for all of eternity.
The Bible spares no detail in describing the horrors of an eternal Hell. These warnings must be taken seriously, not explained away with the false doctrine of annihilation. Annihilation pours water on everything the Bible actually says about Hell. Our sins are deserving of an eternal punishment, but God offers us pardon through the shed blood of His Son. Forgiveness of sins and a home in Heaven isn't offered because God owes us something. It isn't God being "fair." It is a gift of God's mercy and grace! We are the ones who have sinned. It is up to us to receive God's gift of salvation on His terms. Eternity hangs in the balance. Why not obey the gospel today?